COURTESY OF ELISSA JOSEPHSOHN Charlie Murphy, Eddie Murphy's older brother, takes the stage Friday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

Riding the wave

Don't expect an extended version of "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories" when Eddie Murphy's older brother walks on stage Friday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

Funny man "Charlie Murphy and Friends" When: 7:30 p.m. Friday Where: Blaisdell Concert Hall Tickets: $30, $40 and $50 Call: (877) 750-4400

"I'm a comedian," he insisted. "I've never approached it like I want to exploit the fact that I became famous because I told a story."

Since getting started in stand-up a year ago, Murphy has performed more than 300 times in 75 cities. He's gone from hosting and serving as the opening act in various comedy shows to headlining his own gigs. And it's all thanks to the wildly successful "Chappelle's Show."

"That's the whole thing about this," Murphy said. "There's nothing negative I can say. I'm really amazed, and awed and humbled by it.

"This is a f-ing miracle. For real, man."

IF YOU'RE one of the unfortunate few who haven't seen an episode of "Chappelle's Show" during its two seasons on Comedy Central, Murphy is still a recognizable face. He's enjoyed steady work in Hollywood since 1988, establishing himself among black actors and directors for having the knack to bring a comedic edge to thugged-out roles.

"My comedic ability is that I can do something mean and make it funny at the same time," he said. "I've been around for 17 years. I ain't just start doing this."

When Murphy got out of the Navy in 1984, the Brooklyn native followed his brother's booming career to California. It didn't take long for him to realize how wild things could get on the West Coast.

"It was a big-time culture shock," he recalled. "I went from one world, you know, of restriction and discipline, to a world of undiscipline and total (freedom)."

While Eddie didn't dabble in any of the vices common among Hollywood's rich and famous, the older Murphy has long admitted to stepping in and enjoying a variety of activities on his brother's behalf. As the late Rick James said on "Chappelle's Show" of their antics together back in the '80s: "Cocaine's a hell of a drug."

After getting his first role in "Harlem Nights," Murphy moved on to parts in the Spike Lee-directed "Mo' Better Blues" and "Jungle Fever." That led to 1993's "CB4," 1994's "Murder Was the Case," 1998's "The Player's Club" and 2002's "Paper Soldiers," along with a reputation for being a dependable performer.

"Even though I didn't have big roles, I was in movies that people watched," he said. "Most of the jobs I got was from other artists.

"But as far as someone calling up the corporate, white Hollywood or whatever, calling up and saying 'We need Charlie Murphy,' that's new. They wasn't doing that years ago. It's different now."

WITH THE third season of "Chappelle's Show" only partially completed and on indefinite hiatus, Murphy is focused on advancing his stand-up career while continuing to act in various films.

Due out in theaters next month is "Roll Bounce," starring Mike Epps, Nick Cannon and Bow Wow. He also has roles in "Mattie Fresno and the Holoflux Universe" and "Retirement," which are currently in post-production. In January, shooting is expected to begin on "Death Do Us Part," which Murphy wrote with his brother.

"It's a real good time for me," he said. "I'm getting the reward of someone who's been known for 15, 20 years as a funny guy, and I just came out!"

And for those who think he's bending the truth when talking about partying with the Superfreak or playing basketball with Prince, he says he's "99 percent" honest with the stories he tells.

"Everything's embellished in show business, man," Murphy said. "Did we play basketball (with Prince), did that scene really take place? Yeah, it took place. Did he make the pancakes? Yes, he made the pancakes! That stuff was real, man."

But did he wear an outfit similar to the purple getup Dave Chappelle sported in the television re-enactment?

"Maybe not."